Compaq CEO Is Mum on Company's Stance toward Naming Rights of Houston
Ballpark
Mar 21, 2002 (The Dallas Morning News - Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News via
COMTEX) -- HOUSTON--Compaq CEO Michael Capellas deflected shareholders'
questions Wednesday about whether his company is pursuing the naming rights to
the Houston Astros' ballpark, formerly known as Enron Field.
"I do believe naming rights are important, partly as a contribution to the local
environment, and because they can be hugely important in a brand's image," Mr.
Capellas said in a shareholder meeting.
The field's name has been up for grabs since shortly after Enron Corp.'s
collapse.
But Mr. Capellas wouldn't say whether Compaq is interested in having its name on
the field.
He also wouldn't say much about the follow-up question -- will the name "Compaq"
still exist if the proposed merger with Hewlett-Packard is approved?
The name of the merged company would be Hewlett-Packard, but Mr. Capellas hinted
that his company's name might stay on some products.
"We think there's a lot of brand equity in the Compaq name," he said.
But shareholders who wanted to know whether the name would still be high-profile
enough to put on a building will have to wait and see what happens, Mr. Capellas
said.
And what about the Houston Rockets' basketball arena, Compaq Center?
Would it become Hewlett-Packard House?
And does Compaq, or H-P, have any interest in naming Houston's new basketball
arena, currently under construction?
Stay tuned, Mr. Capellas said.
By Crayton Harrison
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